Installing and starting Python

For this course, you will initially need to start the Spyder integrated development environment, and we do most of the work inside this environment.

(Later, we may also use Jupyter.)

University computers

On the university computers, Python is pre-installed. Please see Supplementary video 02 on blackboard.

Other systems

On other computers and laptops, you may need to install Python yourself. While the university cannot support individual students doing this, we provide some best-effort guidelines below.

Spyder App

The Spyder project provides a pre-packaged Spyder installation (see https://docs.spyder-ide.org/current/installation.html#downloading-and-installing) which brings its own python and collection of libraries we need for this module (such as numpy, scipy, matplotlib, pandas, sympy).

For FEEG1201, this provides all the tools you need for the first months. (The additional tools you may need later are Juyter and pytest.)

Using the anaconda distribution

You can use the Spyder IDE that is integrated in the Anaconda Python distribution.

Note that the use of the Anaconda distribution is only free under particular circumstances - for example taking part in a educational course such as FEEG1201. (At a later point in your career, you should install Python by other means, or pay license fees to Anaconda.)

Assuming you have installed the Anaconda Python distribution (for example as described here), you should be able to start the Spyder environment as follows:

Windows (Anaconda)

On Windows, you should find Anaconda in the Start menu, then select Spyder.

Alternatively, type Spyder into the program search box, and press return.

Mac OS X (Anaconda)

Anaconda may install into a ~/anaconda3 directory or ~/opt/anaconda3 of the user who runs the installation program. Assume your username is xyz123, and that Anaconda has installed all its programs in /Users/xyz123/anaconda3.

You have at least two options to start Spyder:

1. Open the Finder, and navigate to the anaconda3 directory in your home directory, i.e. open a Finder window at /Users/xyz123/anaconda3. You should see the Anaconda-Navigator.app application, which you can start by double clicking. Then select the Spyder to launch.

Alternatively (and probably preferred in the long run):

2. Open the Terminal application (this in is the Utilities directory under Applications), and then type spyder & and press return.

(This assumes that the anaconda installation has modified the search path, which should normally happen. )

Linux (Anaconda)

Open a shell and type spyder &, and press return.

(To open a shell on Ubuntu, try to press CTRL+ALT+T. On German keyboards STRG+ALT+T.)

Linux (non-Anaconda)

Open a shell and type spyder &, and press return.

Manual install of dependencies

The python packages we need in the first months of the course are numpy, scipy, matplotlib, pandas, sympy, ipython and spyder. At a later point we may touch on jupyter and pytest.

If you know your way around Python or package installation, you can install those packages in any way you like.

With prior experience, these notes may be helpful.